Robbery rampage erupts in French Quarter (updated)

As much as we know: After being relatively quiet robbery-wise in the French Quarter for some time, all hell broke loose last week--just in time to show out-of-town JazzFesters the real New Orleans. We counted at least 13 robberies in the Quarter in the last week or so:

• Monday (4.30.12) 12:12 p.m.: A lone robber, claiming he had a weapon, held up the Chase Bank, 201 St. Charles Ave., festooned in a safari hat and bright yellow safety vest. After handing the teller a note and getting an undisclosed amount of cash, he fled on foot in the lake-bound direction on Gravier Street. He was described as a light-skinned black male, 20 to 25 years old, 5'4" to 5'6" tall, wearing a yellow construction vest, a khaki fishing hat, a dark long-sleeved shirt, khaki pants, and sunglasses. Anyone with information on this robbery is asked to call the FBI at 816-3000. A reward of $5,000 for information leading to his arrest and indictment is being offered by the banking association.

• Monday (4.30.12) 12:40 a.m.: A 30-year-old white man was robbed by a black dude armed with a chrome-plate semi-automatic pistol who came out of nowhere on Ursulines Avenue near Dauphine Street and demanded "give me all of it." The victim gave up his wallet, iPhone, and $50. He ran to the Port of Call at Dauphine and Esplanade Avenue and called the police. Using the phone's built-in tracking device, cops located Julius Dyson, 31, and charged him with armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, and illegal possession of stolen things. He was booked into OPP on $147,500 bond.

• Sunday (4.29.12) 12:26 p.m.: The victim (no age, sex, or race given) was robbed of cash from his hand in the 600 block of Decatur Street by 2 black boys who swooped down on bicycles. The young punks were described as 16-year-old, both 5'10" tall, one heavy set, wearing a white T-shirt and khaki shorts, and the other thin built, wearing a gray T-shirt and blue jeans.

• Sunday (4.29.12) 5:50 a.m.: A trio of white men, aged 29, 37, and 39, were robbed by a black guy as they walked near Dauphine and Dumaine streets. When one of the victims refused after the robber demanded they empty their pockets, he pulled a pistol and got what he wanted: cash and a iPhone. The robber was wearing a red hoodie, black pants and a black cap.

• Sunday (4.29.12) 4:25 a.m.: The victim (no age, sex or race given), a visitor from Australia in town for JazzFest, was robbed in the 1300 block of Canal Street by a black thug who grabbed his wallet and fled, after the tourist asked him for directions to his hotel. Police arrested James A. Williams, 21, and charged him with simple robbery. Williams, appearing none too bright, gave Magistrate Robert Blackburn the finger during his first court appearance; Blackburn showed him who's boss and set his bond at an exceptionally high $150,000. Enjoy Sheriff Gusman's hellhole, Mr. Williams.

• Sunday (4.29.12) 1:15 a.m.: The victim (no age, sex, or race given) was robbed while walking in the 900 block of Dumaine Street by 2 black punks who grabbed his iPhone from his hand and fled on Burgundy Street toward Esplanade Avenue. The robbers were described as 18 to 22 years old, one 5'6" to 5'10" tall, with a medium build, wearing a red T-shirt, and the other as 5'10" tall, with a medium build, wearing a white T-shirt.

• Saturday (4.28.12) 12:05 a.m.: A 44-year-old white woman walking in the 1000 block of St. Ann Street was robbed of her purse by an armed black thug. The robber was described as 18 to 22 years old, 5'6" tall, with a thin build and short twists in his hair.

• Friday (4.27.12) 12:40 a.m.: A 46-year-old white man walking on Dauphine Street near Gov. Nicholls Street when he was robbed by 2 armed black guys who demanded that he empty his pockets and take off his pants. He did and they fled toward Canal Street; the police report doesn't say if they took the pants as well as the contents. One robber was described as 5'10" tall, with a medium build, dark complexion, and gold teeth on his upper and lower jaws, wearing a dark-colored hat or scarf on his head; there was no description of his accomplice.

• Friday (4.27.12) 1:30 a.m.: A white couple, tourists from Georgia, walking in the 100 block of Exchange Alley, just off Canal Street, were held up by a black boy who lifted his shirt to reveal a handgun tucked in his waist band. He ordered the man to drop his wallet on the ground. The man refused, but his companion, 37, gave up her purse. The robber escaped on Iberville Street toward the river in a silver or light blue sedan driven by a black chick. He was described as 20 years old, 5'7" to 5'8" tall, with a thin build and chin-length braids, wearing a short-sleeved white T-shirt and blue jeans.

• Wednesday (4.25.12) 5:30 a.m.: A woman (no age or race given) walking home from work in the 100 block of Barrone Street, just off Canal Street, was attacked from behind by a white who tugged at her purse. She struggled with him and was knocked to the ground. He fled with the purse into a car. The description of the robber was only that he had light brown hair and was wearing a white T-shirt. The getaway car was described as a 4-door white 2006-2007 Ford Crown Vic--like the NOPD drives--with a dark-colored bungee cord holding the trunk lid closed.

• Wednesday (4.25.12) 2:30 a.m.: Two black women, 24 and 25, were walking in the 400 block of Iberville Street when an 2 black thugs came up and and one pulled a pistol and demanded their purses, then told them to run. They did, leaving behind a robber described as 25 to 35 years old, 5'8" tall, with a medium build, dark complexion, dreadlocks and gold teeth, wearing black and gray clothing and a black stocking cap over his hair.

• Wednesday (4.25.12) 1:49 a.m.: A 42-yeaar-old white guy had just withdrawn cash from the ATM in the Boondock Saint bar, 731 St. Peter St., and was walking to Bourbon Street with his cash and wallet in his hand when he was warned by a black dude that he should not be carrying his money that way. Then the black guy showed him why: he snatched the cash from his hand and fled on foot. After a chase that ended in the 400 block of Royal Street, 2 Bourbon Promenade officers apprehended Kirk Mitchell, 28, and charged him with simple robbery. Labeled a career criminal with 8 felony arrests, Mitchell is in OPP on $50,000 bond.

• Tuesday (4.24.12) 9:00 p.m.: A woman (no age or race given) waiting for the Algiers ferry at the terminal at the end of Canal Street was robbed by 2 black thugs who overpowered her. They first tried wresting away her purse and she struggled. During the altercation an envelope carrying $400 in cash from a check she had just cashed fell from her bra onto the ground and the robbers pounced on it, removing the loot and fleeing. One robber was described as in his mid-20's, 5'11" tall, weighing 150 pounds, wearing a red T-shirt, blue jeans and black shoes; the other was 5'4" to 5'5" tall, weighing 140 pounds, with close cut hair and a dark complexion, wearing a green and white shirt and dark jeans. They escaped on a silver-colored 10-speed bicycle.

• Sunday (4.22.12) 11:30 p.m.: A white woman walking in the 800 block of Toulouse Street while texting on her cellphone was shoved against a wooden fence and pinned there by a black thug who had been sitting on a stoop (weren't these the kind of guys Lt. Eddy Selby warned us about?) Wielding a 5" knife, he robbed her of $250 in cash and her cellphone before fleeing toward N. Rampart Street. He was wearing a gray hoodie, blue jeans, and a black hat with a white design on the front.

• Tuesday (4.17.12) 3:30 p.m.: A student (no age given) riding the RTA bus in the 600 block of Canal Street was robbed by several of his classmates from an unnamed school who took his wallet from his pocket and then returned it, minus the cash in it.

• Thursday (4.12.12) 6:15 p.m.: A 75-year-old white man was robbed in the notorious 100 block of Bourbon Street by a black guy described only as wearing a white shirt and green pants who attempted to pickpocket him and then fought him for his wallet, breaking free and fleeing on foot.

• Thursday (4.12.12) 11:55 p.m.: A group of 2 white women, 20 and 34, and 2 white men, 22 and 26, wandering down Bourbon Street were robbed a gunpoint near Barracks Street by a black guy with a medium build and medium-length dreadlocks, wearing a red and white striped shirt, dark-colored shorts, dark-colored cap, and dark-colored shoes.

• Friday (4.6.12) 10:30 p.m.: A woman (no age or race given) was robbed of her iPhone by a black crook who grabbed it from her hand as she walked in the 200 block of Bourbon Street. Police later arrested Detwyne Williams, 18, and booked him with simple robbery. He is in OPP on $20,000 bond.
  

There are probably any number of other robberies the NOPD hasn't revealed, but considering its sloppy police work it's no wonder. Add to the 8th District's woes the fact Ofc. Brian Shubert--who does such a consistently good job of reporting crimes in the Quarter--was out of town last week. Cmdr. Jeffrey Walls hasn't bothered to train an adequate replacement for Shubert, though Det. Mike Flores took a stab at it and didn't do badly.

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As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com

Thom Kahler

Crime, as we know it

While we now know the NOPD is not reporting all the crimes in the 8th District--nor reporting them fully and accurately, either--we do have reports on the following recent crimes. There doesn't seem to be any particular pattern. Some of the perps are white, some are black; some with a gun, some without; some wearing hoodies, some not; the victims (though often unspecified by the 8th District) are male and female, some young, some old, some white, some black.

The one thing that is apparent: The French Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods are dangerous places to be if you don't pay attention:

• Thursday (3.8.12) 8:10 p.m.: A 24-year-old black woman had her purse snatched near Baronne and Girod streets in the CBD by a perp described only as a black guy with a medium build wearing a white shirt and black pants.

• Sunday (3.11.12) 4:15 a.m.: A 25-year-old white fella whose judgment had been impaired on Bourbon Street tried to flag down a cab on Canal Street when a black chick in a Chevy Tahoe stopped and offered to drive him to his hotel for $20. He hopped in and a black dude in the back seat popped up, saying he had a gun and wanted him to withdraw cash from an ATM in the 200 block of St. Charles Avenue. He did and his friends in the Tahoe fled.

Police later identified the perp as Keyron Ross, 28, who was arrested and charged with first-degree robbery. He is being held in OPP on $40,000 bond.

• Tuesday (3.13.12) 9:25 p.m.: A 38-year-old white man walking near Chartres and Iberville streets was jumped by 2 black guys who knocked him to the ground and cleaned out his pockets. He was unable to give the police a description of his attackers.

• Thursday (3.15.12) 1:25 a.m.: A 47-year-old white man walking in the 1000 block of Royal Street (between Ursulines and St. Philip streets) was robbed by 3 white thugs, one of whom stuck a knife up to his chest and demanded money. He gave up his credit card and cash. He could only described one of them in detail: In his mid-20's, 5'11" all, wearing camouflaged pants and a dark shirt.

• Thursday (3.15.12) 4:09 a.m.: A 27-year-old white guy was walking near Burgundy and Conti streets when a black dude pulled a gun and robbed him of his cellphone and cash. Inadequate police reports listed no description for the perp.

• Thursday (3.15.12) 5:00 a.m.: A woman (no age or race given) was raped in the O'Keefe Plaza Hotel, 334 O'Keefe Ave., in the CBD. The rapist, caught on grainy video that showed little, is believed to be a black man who frequents bars in the French Quarter.

• Thursday (3.15.12) 10:40 p.m.: A 24-year-old white guy got into a fight with another white dude inside The Swamp bar (or whatever they're calling it now), 516 Bourbon St. His opponent picked up a barstool and hit him in the head with it. His assailant was described as 5'8" tall, wearing a light-colored button-down shirt and light-colored shorts. Sounds like a couple of young frat boys on vacation.

• Friday (3.16.12) 2:35 a.m.: A 21-year-old white man was withdrawing money from the Chase Bank ATM at Royal and Iberville streets when another white guy tried grabbing the cash from his hand. He held on and mounted police who observed the scene galloped off after the perp.

They arrested Dustin Baker, 21, and charged him with attempted robbery and aggravated assault. He is being held in OPP on $25,000 bond.

• Saturday (3.17.12) 12:10 p.m.: Cops nabbed a 15-year-old black boy after he grabbed a woman's purse from her hand in the 1000 block of Canal Street near Rampart Street.

• Saturday (3.17.12) 2:30 p.m.: Cops have issued an arrest warrant for Samuel Hechel, a 65-year-old white guy, who pulled a knife and swung at a salesclerk during an argument inside a store at 637 Canal St.

• Saturday (3.17.12) 7:30 p.m.: A white thug went into the Subway shop at 2500 St. Claude Ave., pulled a knife on the counter help, and demanded money. They fled the shop and he jumped over the counter and took an undetermined amount of cash from the register. The best description they could give of the robber was that he was white, wearing a black T-shirt and blue jeans. Hope they're better at telling the baloney from the salami.

• Sunday (3.18.12) 7:00 p.m.: A 35-year-old white man, a local attorney, walking down Bourbon Street near Dumaine Street with a friend was jumped by 2 black boys, 14 to 15 years old, who came up behind them and grabbed his iPhone from his hand. They fled and the victim and his friend gave chase. the victim jumped into his car parked nearby and continued the pursuit. A couple on bicycles assisted him and had the 2 young punks cornered in the Cathedral School parking lot at Dauphine and Dumaine streets. When cops arrived, they found an open door to the school and no other escape route from the parking lot, but could not find the thieves.

• Monday (3.19.12) 10:05 p.m.: A 24-year-old white man thwarted an armed robbery by yelling for help after a black robber brandishing a pistol came up to him at Burgundy and St. Philip streets and demanded his ATM card and pin number. He gave him the card but not the pin and began hollering. The thief fled. He was described as in his 20's, 5'9" tall, weighing 160 pounds, wearing a green sweatshirt and long pants.

• Tuesday (3.20.12) 3:45 p.m. and Thursday (3.22.12) 4:50 p.m.: The Riverwalk at 1 Poydras St., which rarely sees many robberies was hit twice within 2 days. In the first, a 40-year-old white woman had her iPhone stolen by a black guy, described as in his early 20's, 5'10" tall, with a thin build, wearing a white shirt and black pants. In the second, a 64-year-old man had his iPhone stolen by 3 black punks. The victim gave chase and caught one of them, a 14-year-old, who the police took in to custody.

• Thursday (3.22.12) 7:15 p.m.: A 66-year-old Asian woman was standing at Bourbon and Toulouse streets a black guy came up an snatched her iPhone from her hand.

• Friday (3.23.12) 2:00 a.m.: A victim (no age or race given) was walking near Burgundy and St. Philip streets when a black guy produced a pistol and demanded her "property" (whatever that was). He was described a 6' tall, wearing a gray hoodie.

• Friday (3.23.12) 2:13 a.m.: A 59-year-old white woman at Dauphine and St. Ann streets was held up by an "unknown male" (young? old? white? black?) who produced a "weapon" (gun? knife?) who got away with her money and his identity intact. More "great" police work.

• Friday (3.23.12) 2:30 a.m.: A victim (no age, sex, or race given) was walking in the 800 block of Bienville Street (between Bourbon and Dauphine streets) when he got into an argument with a cab driver. The cabbie produced a metal baton and began striking the victim.

Police arrested the cab driver, Mohamad Yousef, 25, and charged him with aggravated battery. He posted $20,000 bond and high-tailed it out of Central Lockup.

• Friday (3.23.12) 12:35 p.m.: A victim (no age or race given) was standing near Bourbon and Bienville streets when a black punk grabbed her iPhone from her hand. He was described as in his early 20's, with a thin build, wearing a navy blue hoodie and blue jeans.

• Saturday (3.24.12) 8:31 p.m.: A victim (no age or race given) walking near N. Rampart and St. Peter streets was jumped by 3 black thugs who knocked him down and went through his pockets. One was described as 5'7" tall with a stocky build, wearing a light-colored shirt and khaki pants; another as 5'9" tall, wearing a pink shirt and khaki pants; and the third as 6' tall, wearing a blue shirt and blue pants.

• Sunday (3.25.12) 4:50 a.m.: A victim (no age or race given) was walking in the 400 block of N. Rampart Street (between Conti and St. Louis streets) when she was jumped by 2 black guys. One held her while the other grabbed her purse from her shoulder.

Police apprehended Johndell Harris, 33, and charged him with pursesnatching. He is being held in OPP on $25,000 bond. His accomplice is still at large, so for goodness sake don't go walking on Rampart Street.

• Sunday (3.25.12) 3:45 p.m.: A victim (no age or race given) was walking in the 900 block of St. Louis Street (between Dauphine and Burgundy streets) when a black hoodlum grabbed his iPhone and ran. He was described in his early 20's, 5'8" to 5'10" tall, weighing 130 to 150 pounds.

• Friday (3.30.12) 3:50 a.m.: A 32-year-old white guy was standing near Bourbon and St. Louis streets when he was attacked by a black thug who pulled the victim's shirt over his head and pummeled him repeatedly. It wasn't until after the beating stopped that the victim realized he had been stabbed once in the neck and once in the back. He was hauled to LSU Interim Public Hospital. His assailant was described as 25 to 35 years old, 6' tall with a slim build, a low-fade haircut, wearing a red shirt and dark-colored gym shorts. Makes you wonder where all the cops were on the busiest block of Bourbon.

• Friday (3.30.12) 11:44 p.m.: A 42-year-old white man walking on Dumaine Street near N. Rampart Street was robbed by 2 black crooks, one who beat him while the other took his wallet and iPhone from his pockets.

The duo fled into Armstrong Park, but cops caught one of them: Keenan Bryan, 18, and charged him with simple robbery and illegal possession of stolen things. He is being held in OPP on $16,500 bond. His accomplice is still at large.

• Monday (4.2.12) 5:12 a.m.: Two white women, one 25, one 26, were walking on Magazine Street near Gravier Street when a white SUV pulled along side of them and a black guy jumped out brandishing a pistol, and demanded their wallets. He then got back in his vehicle and sped off down Magazine toward Poydras Street.
  

What can be learned from this?:

• The NOPD can't protect your iPhone from thieves. You can by waiting to use it in a safe place, and by activating the tracking device now in most newer models.

• Police could reduce the appeal of iPhones to thieves by detecting where these thugs are finding a ready market for their stolen goods. They did that in Washington, D.C. and phone thefts dropped dramatically. Of course, that would take some real police work by the NOPD, but the mentality of the police here is still that NOPD stands for "Not Our Problem Dude" and cops get paid the same whether they solve a crime and lock up a criminal or not.

• The reports the detectives write are woefully inadequate in describing the suspect, which makes you think they are lazy in their interrogation of victims. Victims I've talked to give a better description than what cops report. (Read "How to describe a suspect" from an earlier NOcrimeline column.)
  

• When cops figure out who they think did a crime and issue a warrant for his arrest, they get credit for "closing" the case. They don't bother to put out a mugshot of the suspect so the public might be able to help find him. If the perp never gets locked up, the cop could care less.
  

• Victims have become just "things" to the NOPD, not human beings. More and more lately, we see crime reports with no sex, age or race for victims, making them just an "it". When Capt. Ed Hosli commanded the 8th District he always included that information (at NOcrimeline's request). Since Lt. Jeffrey Walls took over as commander that information has faded from reports, except when a special request is made to Ofc. Brian Shubert who compiles the reports.
  

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As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome at NOcrimeline@gmail.com

Thom Kahler